{
  "id": 9923521,
  "title": "Uddhav Thackeray seeks sacking and imprisonment of Gyanesh Kumar; re-election for Maharashtra, TN, West Bengal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/uddhav-thackeray-seeks-sacking-and-imprisonment-of-gyanesh-kumar-re",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-26T06:13:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/maharashtra/uddhav-thackeray-seeks-sacking-and-imprisonment-of-gyanesh-kumar-re-election-for-maharashtra-tn-west-bengal/article71500918.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 23, 2026, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray called for the removal and imprisonment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with a re-election in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. Thackeray argued that future elections should be conducted on paper ballots. He demanded that all incorrect decisions made by the Election Commission be overturned and that elections where Kumar had intervened should be repeated. Thackeray accused Kumar of acting on instructions from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.\n\nResponding to reports of disagreements between Kumar and two other Election Commissioners, Thackeray praised Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, thanking them on behalf of the nation. Thackeray characterized Kumar's actions as a rebellion against democracy. The Election Commission refuted these claims, stating that input provided at the draft stage should not be viewed as final decisions.\n\nThackeray expressed frustration with Kumar, claiming that there had been a persistent call for his removal over several days. He contended that Kumar's true character had been revealed to the public. Thackeray alleged that the Election Commission had mistakenly assigned the Shiv Sena symbol and name to a rival faction, pointing to internal party disputes. He added that 40 lakh voter names were added to the list just before elections and then removed afterward, as well as that 90 lakh names were deleted in West Bengal and 70 lakh in Tamil Nadu. In the lead-up to the 2024 assembly elections, 45 lakh voters were added to the list in Maharashtra, leading to objections against 40 lakh citizens on the list.\n\nThackeray warned that if no action is taken against Kumar, \"people will take matters into their own hands.\" He argued that if the public loses faith in the electoral process, it could result in anarchy within the country.",
  "summary": "‘These elections should be held on ballot paper; Gyanesh Kumar should be jailed immediately; all the wrong decisions of the Election Commission should be revoked,’ said Uddhav Thackeray",
  "key_points": [
    "Uddhav Thackeray demands sacking and imprisonment of Gyanesh Kumar.",
    "Re-elections sought in Maharashtra, TN, and West Bengal.",
    "Election Commission denies allegations of wrongdoing."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Uddhav Thackeray's call for Gyanesh Kumar's sacking and imprisonment marks a significant escalation in his criticism of the Election Commission, reflecting a deepening rift between the Shiv Sena leader and the electoral body.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Raj Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray to lead joint march on Oct 4 over SIR",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/raj-thackeray-uddhav-thackeray-to-lead-joint-march-on-oct-4-over-sir",
        "published": "2026-09-26T08:47:53.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}